Of Things That Matter Most

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency
If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to
feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters
most.
It’s remarkable how much we can learn about life by studying nature. For example,
scientists can look at the rings of trees and make educated guesses about climat
e and growing conditions hundreds and even thousands of years ago. One of the th
ings we learn from studying the growth of trees is that during seasons when cond
itions are ideal, trees grow at a normal rate. However, during seasons when grow
ing conditions are not ideal, trees slow down their growth and devote their ener
gy to the basic elements necessary for survival.
At this point some of you may be thinking, “That’s all very fine and good, but what
does it have to do with flying an airplane?” Well, let me tell you.
Have you ever been in an airplane and experienced turbulence? The most common ca
use of turbulence is a sudden change in air movement causing the aircraft to pit
ch, yaw, and roll. While planes are built to withstand far greater turbulence th
an anything you would encounter on a regular flight, it still may be disconcerti
ng to passengers.
What do you suppose pilots do when they encounter turbulence? A student pilot ma
y think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will get them throug
h the turbulence faster. But that may be the wrong thing to do. Professional pil
ots understand that there is an optimum turbulence penetration speed that will m
inimize the negative effects of turbulence. And most of the time that would mean
to reduce your speed. The same principle applies also to speed bumps on a road.
Therefore, it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus
on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.
The Pace of Modern Life
This is a simple but critical lesson to learn. It may seem logical when put in t
erms of trees or turbulence, but it’s surprising how easy it is to ignore this les
son when it comes to applying these principles in our own daily lives. When stre
ss levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attemp
t to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the
more rushed our pace, the better off we will be.
One of the characteristics of modern life seems to be that we are moving at an e
ver-increasing rate, regardless of turbulence or obstacles.
Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks th
at will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth dep
ends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time
with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Becau
se they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustrat
ion, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.
It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Oversched
uling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where miles
tones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks.
What Is the Solution?
The wise understand and apply the lessons of tree rings and air turbulence. They
resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of everyday life. Th
ey follow the advice “There is more to life than increasing its speed.”1 In short, t
hey focus on the things that matter most.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, in a recent general conference, taught, “We have to forego s
ome good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they d
evelop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.”2
The search for the best things inevitably leads to the foundational principles o
f the gospel of Jesus Christ—the simple and beautiful truths revealed to us by a c
aring, eternal, and all-knowing Father in Heaven. These core doctrines and princ
iples, though simple enough for a child to understand, provide the answers to th
e most complex questions of life.
There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do no
t appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions.
For example, it wasn’t long after astronauts and cosmonauts orbited the earth that
they realized ballpoint pens would not work in space. And so some very smart pe
ople went to work solving the problem. It took thousands of hours and millions o
f dollars, but in the end, they developed a pen that could write anywhere, in an
y temperature, and on nearly any surface. But how did the astronauts and cosmona
uts get along until the problem was solved? They simply used a pencil.
Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying that “simplicity is the ultimate sophisticat
ion.”3 When we look at the foundational principles of the plan of happiness, the p
lan of salvation, we can recognize and appreciate in its plainness and simplicit
y the elegance and beauty of our Heavenly Father’s wisdom. Then, turning our ways
to His ways is the beginning of our wisdom.
The Power of Basics
The story is told that the legendary football coach Vince Lombardi had a ritual
he performed on the first day of training. He would hold up a football, show it
to the athletes who had been playing the sport for many years, and say, “Gentlemen
, . . . this is a football!” He talked about its size and shape, how it can be kic
ked, carried, or passed. He took the team out onto the empty field and said, “This
is a football field.” He walked them around, describing the dimensions, the shape
, the rules, and how the game is played.4
This coach knew that even these experienced players, and indeed the team, could
become great only by mastering the fundamentals. They could spend their time pra
cticing intricate trick plays, but until they mastered the fundamentals of the g
ame, they would never become a championship team.
I think most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals are. It
is just that we sometimes get distracted by so many things that seem more entic
ing.
Printed material, wide-ranging media sources, electronic tools and gadgets—all hel
pful if used properly—can become hurtful diversions or heartless chambers of isola
tion.
Yet amidst the multitude of voices and choices, the humble Man of Galilee stands
with hands outstretched, waiting. His is a simple message: “Come, follow me.”5 And
He does not speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice.6 It i
s so easy for the basic gospel message to get lost amidst the deluge of informat
ion that hits us from all sides.
The holy scriptures and the spoken word of the living prophets give emphasis to
the fundamental principles and doctrines of the gospel. The reason we return to
these foundational principles, to the pure doctrines, is because they are the ga
teway to truths of profound meaning. They are the door to experiences of sublime
importance that would otherwise be beyond our capacity to comprehend. These sim
ple, basic principles are the key to living in harmony with God and man. They ar
e the keys to opening the windows of heaven. They lead us to the peace, joy, and
understanding that Heavenly Father has promised to His children who hear and ob
ey Him.
My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at
the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our
eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the founda
tional precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establis
h the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happines
s. They will teach us to do “all these things . . . in wisdom and order; for it is
not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is
expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby . . . win the prize.”7
Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us
to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ,
we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, . . . that [we] may know to what sou
rce [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.”8 In the complexity, confusion, a
nd rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.”9
So What Are the Basics?
As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that
matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationshi
ps: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves. As
we evaluate our own lives with a willing mind, we will see where we have drifted
from the more excellent way. The eyes of our understanding will be opened, and
we will recognize what needs to be done to purify our heart and refocus our life
.
First, our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. We are His spirit chi
ldren. He is our Father. He desires our happiness. As we seek Him, as we learn o
f His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the influence of the Holy Spir
it, our lives become more stable and secure. We experience greater peace, joy, a
nd fulfillment as we give our best to live according to God’s eternal plan and kee
p His commandments.
We improve our relationship with our Heavenly Father by learning of Him, by comm
uning with Him, by repenting of our sins, and by actively following Jesus Christ
, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Christ].”10 To strengthen our relation
ship with God, we need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on
daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a curre
nt temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to
draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the invitation in Psalms: “Be sti
ll, and know that I am God.”11
Our second key relationship is with our families. Since “no other success can comp
ensate for failure”12 here, we must place high priority on our families. We build
deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like famil
y dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family rela
tionships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is th
e key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn
from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities
. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through
family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.
The third key relationship we have is with our fellowman. We build this relation
ship one person at a time—by being sensitive to the needs of others, serving them,
and giving of our time and talents. I was deeply impressed by one sister who wa
s burdened with the challenges of age and illness but decided that although she
couldn’t do much, she could listen. And so each week she watched for people who lo
oked troubled or discouraged, and she spent time with them, listening. What a bl
essing she was in the lives of so many people.
The fourth key relationship is with ourselves. It may seem odd to think of havin
g a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with thems
elves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to h
ate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra t
ime to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s c
reations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean
for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His preci
ous daughter or son with divine potential.
Rejoice in the Pure Gospel
Brothers and sisters, let us be wise. Let us turn to the pure doctrinal waters o
f the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us joyfully partake of them in their
simplicity and plainness. The heavens are open again. The gospel of Jesus Christ
is on earth once more, and its simple truths are a plentiful source of joy!
Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its ru
shed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicin
g, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.
Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm founda
tion of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the
basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to
the divine things that matter most.
Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus
our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipl
eship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace. Fo
r this I pray, as I leave you my blessing, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, a
men.
Notes
Mahatma Gandhi, in Larry Chang, Wisdom for the Soul (2006), 356.
Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 107.
Leonardo da Vinci, in John Cook, comp., The Book of Positive Quotations, 2nd ed.
(1993), 262.
Vince Lombardi, in Donald T. Phillips, Run to Win: Vince Lombardi on Coaching an
d Leadership (2001), 92.
Luke 18:22.
See 1 Kings 19:12.
Mosiah 4:27.
2 Nephi 25:26.
1 Corinthians 12:31; Ether 12:11.
John 14:6.
Psalm 46:10.
J. E. McCulloch, Home: The Savior of Civilization (1924), 42; see also Conferenc
e Report, Apr. 1935, 116.